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Contact usAlternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Mediation
We encourage clients to engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) where it’s appropriate. With several trained mediators and other ADR specialists on board, our lawyers can provide expert advice on all forms of ADR like commercial arbitration. We appear regularly before arbitral bodies including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
Our focus is you
When you have a dispute, whether with an individual or an organisation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) may well be worth considering. ADR is a less formal way of trying to resolve disputes than litigation, it takes less time and is usually far more cost effective. Accordingly, ADR is something that our lawyers will always be alive to, discuss with our clients and implement where that is likely to be in our clients’ best interests.
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
ADR comes in a number of forms, the most well known of which is probably mediation but there are a number of other forms, including negotiation, expert determination and arbitration, including informal arbitration in the context of unfair dismissal claims. The most common form of ADR is mediation where the parties will come together and present their case to an independent trained mediator who will then work with the parties to try to encourage a settlement. If an agreement is reached and signed it is binding on the parties and can be enforced like any contract or Court judgment.
There is no obligation on either party to settle in a mediation and the mediator cannot impose his or her own decision. Even if a mediation is unsuccessful, this is unlikely to present significant difficulties to either party because mediations are conducted on a confidential basis and cannot be discussed with a judge of any description in the matter in question until the matter has been finally determined.
Both parties have to agree to ADR, although in some cases the Court may insist that the parties consider ADR and can even impose cost penalties if they do not. ADR can take place at any time before or during formal Court proceedings and so it should not be looked upon as being entirely separate from a litigation process. Rather, ADR can compliment an ongoing litigation process. If ADR fails then both parties can still resort to or carry on with Court proceedings.
Our lawyers approach to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
DMH Stallard are very supportive of ADR and dispute resolution practices. Our lawyers have significant expertise in ADR and indeed several of our practitioners are trained mediators with some of the leading organisations dedicated to mediation, including the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).
Our lawyers have offices based in London and other locations across the South-east which include Gatwick and Crawley, Hassocks, Horsham, Brighton and Guildford.
Please note that visits to our office is by appointment only. If you require legal advice please contact one of our solicitors via our online enquiry form.
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Recent work
Sectors
Conveyancing negligence – failure to identify split title
A claim against a conveyancer for failing to identify that part of a residential property, including much of the garden, was held on a short lease with no prospect of renewal. Claim valued at £150,000.
Failure to advise on limitation in an international dispute
A claim against solicitors for failing to advise on limitation periods, which meant claims arising from an overseas joint venture became time-barred. Claim value approx. €7,000,000.
High value claim
Defending a claim arising out of the design, construction, procurement, commissioning and installation of cooling units at data centre halls: £77m.
Negligence claim against solicitors
Claim against solicitors for drafting errors in a Share Purchase Agreement: £4.5m.
Joint venture agreement losses
A claim pursuant to personal guarantees for losses arising out of a Joint Venture Agreement: £7m.
Fraud
A claim for fraud arising out of the dishonest diversion of business, clients and income by the Managing Director and others: £3,000,000.
Shareholder dispute
Defending a claim in the London Court of International Arbitration regarding a dispute by a former shareholder who claimed his shares were unlawfully purchased from him by the company: £3.3m.
High value risk mitigation
Assisting a national PLC with an ongoing project to address a myriad of financial and regulatory issues. We have worked with this client to identify and rectify these issues so as to achieve the client’s objectives in a cost-effective manner whilst successfully managing what could have been significant potential reputational risk for our client.
Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation Lawyers
Complex charity trust advice
Assisting a development company by advising trustees on matters concerning a charity’s current status, particularly focusing on complications arising from the charity’s premises and a potential joint venture. The matter involved challenges relating to issues around the renewal of a lease, resulting in the trustees taking out a substantial loan.
Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation Lawyers
High value shareholder dispute
Acting for a construction company in a shareholder dispute and facing an unfair prejudice petition under the Companies Act 2006 (our clients are two of seven Respondents). The case is complex and involves valuation disagreements, contractual disputes, director issues, and aviation regulations, complicated further by the involvement of multiple litigants in person. The claim value is significant, involving share capital worth up to £40m.
Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation Lawyers
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Insights
Two years ago, the question was “who is to blame when the machine gets it wrong.” The answer has turned out to be reassuringly old-fashioned: the person you paid for the advice.
02/11/2026
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DMH Stallard has reinforced its position as the South East’s leading law firm with another strong performance in the Chambers and Partners 2027 legal rankings.
20/10/2026
Media spotlight
Kate Partridge talks through her usual day as a Corporate lawyer and how a four day week has helped balance her personal life.
Kate Partridge19/10/2026
